Michelle's Scrapping Blog

On a roll

2012-01-27T16:53:00.003+10:00

Glad to say that I am on a scrapping roll - yay - I am finally getting my mojo back. I read something somewhere (I wish I could remember where) about just getting in and doing as much as you can and doing something every day to get your creativity going - this is so true. Gay abandon I say - I am picking a pile of photos and giving myself about 5 minutes to find some papers and a sketch (if I feel like it) and getting it done - making a big difference!

Simple One

2012-01-26T13:52:00.003+10:00

I just love these photos I took on my iPhone while we were away at Kingscliff at Mantra. I was sorting through some older papers that I haven't used yet (way too many of them!) and realised that they matched perfectly.

It really proably only took about 20 mins to do the whole layout - love it when it comes together like that.

Get Picky January Sketch Challenge

2012-01-17T13:51:00.004+10:00

So glad to be back in the swing of scapping again - I have done 3 layouts in the last 6 days which is more than I have been doing in a month lately!

I have decided to just get over myself and use as many sketches as I can get my hands on. It just takes some of the hard work out of it which is why I have been procrastinating lately I think. It was all a bit too hard!

This layout is for the Get Picky January Sketch Challenge. I really loved doing this challenge as it gave me a chance to get another Christmas layout done. I find if I don't get the Christmas layouts done in January, I just don't feel like doing them later - you get a bit over it!!

Pencil Lines Sketch #264

2012-01-12T16:16:00.003+10:00

I know, I know - don't have a heart attack but I have scrapped - yay. My pile of photos was overwhelming me and I didn't know quite where to start! It's amazing how often a great sketch can just get you going again.

I have done a layout with Pencil Lines Sketch #264 which is great because I have so many Christmas photos to scrap.

Get Picky November Sketch Challenge #14

2011-11-15T16:21:00.003+10:00

On a roll this month - I have done the Get Picky November Sketch # 14 Challenge. This sketch was actually easier than I thought it was going to be - when I finally found the right papers to use! I have used Echo Park - Happy Days - good to open that collection pack up! I didn't end up cutting my photos into circles - would have lost too much of the reason for the layout. I have to admit I am still bearing scars from all the Creative Memories circle cutting I did in the early days - eeek!

It is good to be making some inroads into the pile of photos sitting on my desk to be scrapped, until I get the next lot printed out ....

Pencil Lines Sketch 258

2011-11-10T20:30:00.002+10:00

Wow - my second challenge for the week - I am feeling good about my scrapping for once!

I have taken on Sketch #258 at Pencil Lines - I have changed it a bit but still used the sketch as my inspiration. I am in love with all the October Afternoon lines at the moment. The colours and embellishments are so gorgeous.

Get Picky

2011-11-09T16:48:00.006+10:00

I have been looking on the internet for great challenge sites and came across Get Picky.

They have two challenges a month - one a sketch challenge and one an inspiration challenge. All layouts need to have multiple photos - I think this is great motivation to get more than one photo on the page - heaven knows I have enough photos! The first photo is the inspiration photo and then my layout inspired by the picture. You also needed to use some fabric - in mine I have used a lace doiley/s.

I was inspired by the shapes in the quilts as well as the circular "doiley" like shapes on the mat.

Great to get a layout done!

I'm Back

2011-10-08T15:26:00.004+10:00

Wow - has it really been that long!!

I have had a busy couple of months. I have been overseas and spent a couple of months scrapping my photos from my trip. I have also scrapped quite a few layouts that I can't show on here.

This afternoon though, I have finally sat down and done a layout that I have been wanting to do for months. I am now starting to use some of the papers that I bought quite a few months ago. I am in love with all things Crate Paper and I have bought all of their new collections but I hadn't even done anything with one their collections - Emma's Shoppe - which I would have to say is one of my most favourite collections of all time - big call I know - but the colours as just so gorgeous. Their new collection Random is following closely behind though!

I am looking forward to doing a few challenges in the next couple of weeks as well as maybe a Pencil Lines sketch or two.

Great News

2011-07-03T16:01:00.002+10:00

Well my exciting news for the week is that I came runner-up in the My Scraproom Room Rules at Scrapping Outback. I was pretty excited and I believe that I will be getting a prize which is great as a bonus! This comp was great for me to get the creative juices going. It has also shown me that I work best with deadlines and with a track to run on. I will definitely be taking advantage of any other comps I can enter as well as doing some more sketches from Pencil Lines and Scrapping Outback.

Another bit of exciting news (for me anyway) was that Jen Gallacher from Two Peas asked me if they could use one of my Echo Park layouts in a feature they are doing. Of course I said yes!

Hopefully I will get a little bit of scrapping done this week - although it is going to be a busy one.

Week 6 My Scraproom Rules

2011-06-27T11:29:00.005+10:00

On the Friday night in Week 5 we had a Masterclass with Ebony van der Starre. This was such a cool and funky layout but totally not what I would normally do. I had some photos from my birthday dinner taken on my iPhone which were perfect for the papers and style. Thanks Ebony for such a wonderful layout to copy! I have blocked out one of the photos for privacy reasons.

Well the last week of the competition and they have thrown everything at us. We had three mini challenges although each of those nearly took me as long as one normal weekly challenge!

The first one was to decorate a wooden spoon with our left-over scraps from the competiton. I decided to go with the cooking theme. As OTP is not really my thing I did the best I could.

Then we had to do something with a cupcake on it. An OTP cupcake, a card or layout. I decided to go with a party invitation and some place-cards with cupcakes on them. They were quite simple but I like them. There were some elaborate OTP cupcakes so I won't be placing anywhere this week!

Then we had to do a layout with an old v young or east meets west theme, again with leftovers. I did an outdoors layout with bright colours and also used old-fashioned crocheted doilies with modern funky papers.

The big announcement of the winner is on Friday night. I don't expect to come anywhere but it has been such a blast getting some great layouts and projects done that I love.

Scrapping Outback My Scraproom Rules Week 5

2011-06-17T18:06:00.002+10:00

Well - we are up to week 5 now and this week we had to follow a "recipe" which I have to say was quite difficult as we weren't given a full layout to have a look at, just sneak peaks. Not my favourite layout of the comp but I followed the recipe to a T!

My Scraproom Rules - Week 4

2011-06-11T12:40:00.003+10:00

Wow - this week certainly was a challenge - we had to do a mini-book. Anyone who knows me knows my love/hate relationship with OTP! It took me literally all week to do amongst everything else!

Scrapping Outback My Scraproom Rules Week 3

2011-06-04T12:08:00.004+10:00

The week 3 challenge was a mystery box challenge and we had a list of ingredients that we could use which was meat, pastry, oil, pasta, sugar, flower and mixed herbs. We had to justify each ingredient that we used (say chipboard) against one of the listed ingredients. I found this one tricky also as I felt like I was doing my layout back to front - picking the ingredients first and then putting it together. I spent a lot of time shuffling and changing this one - seriously overthought it!! I do like it though.

We also had a pressure test in Week 2 where we had to pick a number from two lists which would determine which embellishment and technique we had to use. I ended up getting doodling and ribbon/lace. This was certainly out of my comfort zone as I am not usually a "doodler" on my pages. Having said that, this is one of my favourite layouts that I have done in recent times - just came together.

Scrapping Outback My Scraproom Rules Week 2

2011-05-27T18:34:00.003+10:00

I have completed Challenge 2 in the My Scraproom Rules Challenge at Scrapping Outback. So glad to have some deadlines and challenges. I think I have definitely got my mojo back. This week's challenge was to have some wet media, a patterned paper die cut, layers of patterned paper, cardstock and at least one spiral flower. I loved the papers in the kit and also had some more in my stash to add.

I decided to do a layout about me for once and my love of cooking. I really love the result regardless of where I place this week. I was lucky to come 4th last week.

Scrapping Outback My Scraproom Rules

2011-05-20T10:57:00.006+10:00

I have joined up to the My Scraproom Rules competition over at Scrapping Outback. I felt that it was time to have some deadlines and a bit of a fire in my belly again and be challenged.

The criteria was:

3 handmade flowers (at least)

cutting of chipboard

distressing

fussy cutting out

I like the result although I don't normally do quite so much cutting out normally. I have to admit that I wouldn't have ever thought to use these papers unless they came in the kit but I love them.

Pencil Lines Sketch #231

2011-03-29T17:33:00.003+10:00

I finally have had enough time to get a layout done - we have had a busy time in our household lately!

This layout has been done from the Pencil Lines sketch #231 which was great because it is very much my usual style - not out of my comfort zone but it meant I got a layout done quite quickly. I have been extremely naughty with my scrapping products buying heaps of the new stuff. This layout has been done using Echo Park's "For the Record" line. I just love the colours.

Pencil Lines Sketch #228

2011-03-09T07:09:00.002+10:00

Here is my take on this week's sketch over at Pencil Lines - #228. This is a great sketch this week - heaps of ways to do it and I may get another one done I hope this week.

Again, I have used some older papers from my stash - got to make way for all the new stuff! This time its Basic Grey Wander - love the vibrant colours.

Pencil Lines Sketch #227

2011-03-01T13:36:00.002+10:00

I am on a roll this week. I have got my Pencil Lines Sketch done early this week. This time it is Sketch #227 and I have used some older papers from my stash from Echo Park. I never tire of the beautiful colours in this range.

I snapped this photo on a recent holiday using my iPhone with the Hipstamatic App. I actually didn't even get the digital SLR out of the back as I was really happy with the photos I was taking on my phone.

Pencil Lines Sketch #226

2011-02-27T18:13:00.003+10:00

I am just loving these sketches from Pencil Lines. This one is #226. I love/need deadlines and I really have set myself a goal that even if I have a busy week to get at least that layout done. This one has been sitting on my desk all week (I started it on Monday) and finally I put the finishing touches on it this afternoon!

Again I have used some older papers from my stash - MME. The photos on the layout are from my 6th birthday party (just a little while ago!!!) and I love these photos even though one of them in particular is a little blurry.

Pencil Lines Sketch #225

2011-02-21T13:12:00.002+10:00

I am just loving these sketches on the Pencil Lines site. They have really, really helped me get my mojo back. This LO uses Sketch #225 and I have used some older Cosmo Cricket papers that I think are sooo cute.

I am also using up so many papers from my stash which is important with all the new papers coming out soon. I am going to try and be good though as my new year's resolution was to try and use up lots from my stash before buying too much more. This will save me money and space!

Quick One

2011-02-18T16:09:00.003+10:00

Just another quick post today to share a layout I have done this week. It is nearly a year overdue so glad to have this one done.

Pencil Lines Sketch #224

2011-02-11T13:48:00.004+10:00

I am loving getting a layout done from the Pencil Lines sketch each week. This week it is #224. It is really giving me a track to run on and I am getting heaps done for a change.

I have kept this one simple but I think the photo speaks for itself. I have used Basic Grey Oliver papers. I did a double layout (can't show this one as it has people in it that don't want their photo on the internet) and had some left over papers so decided to do the sketch layout with them. That's my new rule that I need to do more than one layout with the papers and embellishments in each range. Heaven knows I always get more than I need for one layout!!

More Layouts

2011-02-05T11:31:00.003+10:00

Yes, I have been busy scrapping. I had some time yesterday afternoon to sit and scrap which was a nice treat. There was ironing to do but hey - it can wait!

I think I am finished with the Christmas layouts now. I have actually done one double and three single this year which is three more than I did last year. I just love the photo in this latest one.

I finally also got to scrap a layout about our camping trip in September. I kept it simple but I am happy with the result. Just love the October Afternoon papers. I hope to get another one done with the left-over papers in the next few days.

At last!

2011-02-01T14:46:00.003+10:00

I have finally had some time to get a few layouts done. I am getting through all the Christmas layouts now. I did a double which was from the POTM Basic Grey which used about 10 photos and I wanted to use a couple of favourite photos that the kids chose to go on their layouts.

I have finally been able to get some time to get some scrapping done. I have been getting lots of inspiration from sketch blogs lately. I have really found that I love the Pencil Lines Blog and I have completed their latest sketch challenge - 223.

I feel like I am starting to get my mojo back - so look out - lots more layouts to share soon.

Back into it ..

2011-01-07T17:53:00.003+10:00

I have done some scrapping this afternoon and I have to say I feel fantastic. I just sat and scrapped and didn't worry about what anyone would think of what I had done. I finished a layout that had been sitting on my desk for too long (can't post this one!) and then I had a look on some sketch blogs. I have never done a layout from Pencil Lines before but there is always a first for everything. So... here is sketch #219 from the blog and then my take. I love the result. I will be looking on this site very regularly I think!

New Phase

2011-01-04T18:58:00.001+10:00

Have had to update all my sidebars and my blog to reflect that my time with Scrapbook City has come to an end with the closing of their doors at Christmas.

Who knows what opportunities lie around the corner - but I would have to do some scrapping for that to happen !!!!

Watch this space as I hope to update with some layouts soon.

Sad News

2010-11-30T15:53:00.003+10:00

Before I get to the sad news, I have a done a layout with the monochromatic Pink Paislee Parisian Anthology. Not sure that I am 100% happy with it but it is done all the same.

Well, I am very sad to say that Scrapbook City is closing its doors. I have been privileged to be part of the team at Scrapbook City for nearly 6 years now and it has been a big part of my life. I will miss being able to get the best products locally and to be able to use such great products hot off the press. Thanks go to Kerri and Leisa for their wonderful hard work in building up the business over the years and making it a place that we all loved to visit! I wish them both all the luck in the world with their new endeavours. Thanks for the friendships made with Design Team members, past and present and for all your wonderful inspiration.

Quick One

2010-11-06T20:17:00.002+10:00

Just a quick post to show a layout I have done this week using the gorgeous Crate Paper Restoration line - so in love with these papers. I was going to wait to post this until I had finished the layout on my desk (also with Restoration) but I haven't finished it yet!

I am really looking forward to my Webster's Pages stuff coming from the US - so cheap now with our dollar being so good!

I also received a cool email asking permission for one of my layouts to be featured on the Aussie Scrap Source Blog - I of course said yes - will be appearing shortly.

2010-11-02T13:27:00.003+10:00

I received this blog award from Annette - The rules are:

1. Thank the person that gave it to you. Thanks you so much Annette

2. Post it with pride on your blog.

3. List 3 things you love about yourself.

1) I'm honest
2) I'm respectful
3) I'm thoughtful

4. Post a picture you love.

Love this photo of my husband and daughter kayaking on Sunday.

5. Tag 5 other people for the award.

1)Katie - http://katiehs-life.blogspot.com/
2)Ang - http://sarianastasia.blogspot.com/
3)Trina - http://trinamcclune.typepad.com/my_weblog/
4)Renee - http://motherjoiedevivre.blogspot.com/

MIA

2010-10-29T13:27:00.003+10:00

I know I have been missing in action but I have been very busy doing a digital scrapbook for my Mum's 60th in a few weeks. That has now been sent off for printing and is on its way back to me so I can get some scrapping done - in between organising food and making food for the party in three weeks time!

I have done a couple of layouts in the last week. The first one is for the Sketch Challenge at Scrapbook City - why don't you get over to the blog and have a go - there is a great prize. The second one is a bit of a copy of a layout I saw on the Two Peas website. I have added my own touches of course! They are both done with Crate Paper - School Spirit papers and embellishments. Just love those colours and they match my children's uniform to a T!

Looking forward to getting some more scrapping done before the busy lead up to Christmas.

Couple of New Layouts

2010-10-02T19:44:00.003+10:00

I have done a couple of Design Team layouts in the last week or two. The first one is for the colour challenge at Scrapbook City and the second is done with the brand new Bo Bunny Olivia papers. I have had this photo of me and the kids on Mother's Day for a while and just haven't had the right papers. I just love how vibrant the colours are.

I have been buying lots of gorgeous new stuff to play with - getting the time is the hard part - I am doing a photo book for my Mum's 60th coming up in November. Trouble is, I need to allow three weeks for delivery from the US. At least the dollar is really good at the moment and it will be much cheaper than I was expecting.

I have also completed my cards for the Scrapbook City Christmas Card Showcase. Cards are never my strong point but they haven't turned out too bad. I have gone with vintage with a modern twist! I will post when allowed.

FINALLY, FINALLY

2010-09-23T15:10:00.002+10:00

At long last my new scrapping area in our new office is complete.

I have waited over six years to have this done and I have to say I love it. It will probably need some tweeking as I go along and it has taken a lot of work to sort through everything and put it in boxes and containers.

I am just waiting for my chair to be put together - I made an attempted but no joy!

New MME Lost and Found

2010-09-10T14:33:00.002+10:00

I am always looking forward to the new My Mind's Eye collections when they come in. I chose these papers for my DT Layout which is the "Moments" collection. It is a bit of a yucky day today so not the best photo.

I am really into stripes at the moment - fashion-wise and scrapping-wise!

I will be doing some more MME layouts in the next week or so.

New and Improved Scrapbook City Blog

2010-08-31T19:25:00.003+10:00

Make sure you pop on over to the Scrapbook City Blog http://www.scrapbookcityblog.blogspot.com/ and check out the new look. We also have a great competition going with the first week's challenge being to do a layout using one of four Kaiser Craft collections - Lush, Secret Bird Society, Hippy Chick and Up Up and Away - 70% of your layout needs to be Kaiser products. There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs so give it a go!

My layout for the challenge sample uses Secret Bird Society which I looove! I dug out some old photos from nearly 16 years ago on our honeymoon - a blast from the past!

Another Travel Layout

2010-08-31T17:13:00.002+10:00

I have so many photos from our holiday to get through that I decided to print some smaller photos to get heaps onto a page.

I love this travel range from Making Memories which really matched the photos well and I dug into my stash for some older chipboard letters as well.

I found out this afternoon that 19 boxes of product is being delivered to Scrapbook City on Monday so guess who will be at Scrapbook City on Monday. I may also have to do a trip before then as the new Prima has arrived today!!

New Basic Grey Wander

2010-08-29T18:21:00.002+10:00

I was so excited to be given some of these papers to do a layout with for Scrapbook City. Unfortunately there were only the alphas and die cut shapes to use but they were really nice all the same.

I love the photos of the kids at Hartley's Croc Farm - we had such a great time there. I will also be doing a second page with the WRMK page inserts with photos of the crocs and other animals we saw that day.

Stay tuned as Scrapbook City is starting a series of challenges on the blog. I have done my layout for the first challenge and will post as soon as it is up on the Scrapbook City Blog.

I have also ordered some more things from Etsy and some wonderful storage things for my new scrap area in our office. I will post some pics of my brand new scrap area when it is finished in the next couple of weeks - can't wait!

I LOVE ETSY

2010-08-18T07:13:00.004+10:00

Fortunately or you could say unfortunately for my hip pocket, I have found the website http://www.etsy.com/.

It is an online site that sells handmade and other goods. It is a wonderful place to find the bits and pieces that I love to add to my scrapbook pages that you can't always find in the retail stores. These wonderful little "findings" can be just the thing to finish off a page.

Yesterday I found a wonderful seller MKBeads which had these gorgous flowers. I really had to stop myself going CRAZY but these are the ones I bought. Can't wait for them to arrive.

2010-08-16T12:59:00.003+10:00

I saw a layout done by a wonderful scrapper called Carole Janson using Echo Park papers which I had previously just glanced over, and decided they were perfect for my photos of the EKKA. I just love the whimsy and bright colours. I also got inspiration from a layout I saw in the Two Peas in a Bucket gallery by michiyo_nobeno(poki).

I am looking forward to some challenges and exciting things happening with the Scrapbook City Blog shortly. I will keep you posted.

DT Layout

2010-08-13T09:14:00.003+10:00

After saying I had my mojo back, I wasted a whole afternoon mucking around on Wednesday and just couldn't pull a layout together. I decided to just leave it and come back to it yesterday. It made me really cranky because I had the time to do it for once and just nothing was coming to me.

On Thursday, I got a couple of different photos printed, ditched all my old ideas and came up with this layout which I really love! I think it really captures what I loved the most about Port Douglas. That was the view you had when you came out through the rainforest and walked down to the water. It was by far the nicest place I have ever been for a run too!

I think I just need to relax more when I'm scrapping and ENJOY it which is what I did yesterday. I should know by now that putting pressure on myself doesn't help me.

Hopefully I will get some time over the weekend to get some more scrapping done.

New Blog

2010-08-10T17:22:00.003+10:00

I have decided to change my blog! It will now be focused on my scrapping adventures instead of my family as such - this is for a number of reasons which I won't go into.

I have finally got my mojo for scrapping back and I can't find enough hours lately to get into it. I won't be showing many layouts on here that I do because they have people in them who I will not show on the internet. I was finding that I was only doing layouts that I could show and some of the most important ones ie. kids best friends and outings were not getting scrapped. I have turned that around somewhat now and I still hope to show many layouts here that may or may not give someone out there some inspiration.

Here is a layout I have done using the brand new Basic Grey Olivia papers and embellishments. I will have some Scrapbook City DT Layouts in the new few days.

July 2010 Layouts

2010-08-10T17:18:00.003+10:00

April 2010 Layouts

2010-08-10T15:00:00.000+10:00

March 2010 Layouts

2010-08-10T14:48:00.000+10:00

February 2010 Layouts

2010-08-10T14:32:00.001+10:00

January 2010 Layouts

2010-08-10T14:26:00.000+10:00